Thursday, 19 February 2015

Sailing by Georgina

On Monday Room 1 went to Pauri Lake to go sailing. The wind was fairly strong but was forecast to drop, so we quickly rigged up the boats and set sail, making the most of the wind while it lasted.
We had a great time, sailing up and down the lake like professionals. After a swim in the cool water and some morning tea, Terry (one of the commodores) called some of us over to try to teach us how to sail up and down the lake as quickly as possible. To do this he taught us how to identify where the wind was coming from, and how to use the front of the sail to tell if you were facing too high into the wind. If the front of the sail was starting to flap, you were pointing too high into the wind and you had to turn your boat until your sail was full. He also taught us when to pull our sail in and when to let it right out.
Room 1 had a great time at sailing and we are looking forward to next week when we will hopefully learn more about the sport and how to do it.

Sunday, 8 February 2015

Sailing a big Success

Room 1 had their first sailing lesson of the year today, up at Pauri Lake, courtesy of Wanganui Sailing Club. Conditions were well nigh perfect, a steady breeze and a little overcast. Bob and Terry, the two instructors, gave a thorough demonstration on how to rig the boat and some basic instructors for the first-timers, and then the class were away. Capsizing was at a minimum, mercifully few children ended up in the reeds, and the early nerves soon vanished. The verdict by common consent was that a great morning was had by all and Room 1 cannot wait for next Monday to come around.

Tuesday, 3 February 2015

Intrepid Journey for Room 1 Boys

Welcome back to a hectic-as-ever term in Room One. Activities this term include Leadership Camp, Tongariro Crossing, Technology, Swimming Sports, Cluster Swimming, Sailing, Duathlon, Army Museum and Wanganui Museum Visits, House Challenges and much more. Phew!

In the classroom our Inquiry Topic is 'Intrepid Journeys', where we will be learning about early settlers, James Cook, Antarctic Explorers (successful and otherwise), famous aviators and sailors, and trying to answer the eternal question 'Did the Americans really land on the Moon?'

An Intrepid Journey of a different kind is that being undertaken by Room One boys, who, for the first time in several years, are outnumbered in the classroom by girls by 2 to 1. Who will cope with the more fragrant atmosphere? Who will talk more? Who will work harder? Who will be more organised? Who has the funnier jokes? For the sake of all us males, boys, make sure by the end of the year the answer to all of these is you!

Have a great year, Room One

Mr Reddish